1. Helping students achieve their dreams.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Able Trust is announcing the launch of Futures in Focus, a career and postsecondary education exploration program for students with disabilities in grades 6 to 12. The Able Trust is launching Futures in Focus in partnership with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, who announced today that grants for Futures in Focus are being awarded to the following local education foundations: DeSoto County Education Foundation, Dixie Education Foundation, Flagler County Education Foundation, Hernando County Education Foundation, Jackson County Education Foundation, Education Foundation of Lake County, Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, and Santa Rosa Education Foundation. As students move from high school into postsecondary education or the workforce, many students with disabilities struggle to make a successful transition. Florida’s high school graduation rate for students with disabilities is 85.5% compared to 88% for students without disabilities. This gap extends into postsecondary enrollment and Florida’s workforce. Futures in Focus is based on The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program.
2. HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.
Through this pilot program, education foundations will work with local school districts to enroll students with disabilities and give them experiences that include: • Introduction to secondary education pathway options such as Career and Technical Education, pre-apprenticeship, and other certification options (for Middle School students). • Introduction to postsecondary education options: certificate programs, apprenticeship, technical school, state college and/or university (for High School students). • Introduction to in-demand or growth occupations and industries. • Connected to relevant resources that will assist with education and employment. • Given opportunities for development of self-esteem and leadership skills. “We are thrilled to collaborate with The Able Trust on the Futures in Focus program. This initiative offers a transformative opportunity for our students with disabilities in communities around the state, and we are eager to see the positive impacts,” Mary Chance, President & CEO of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
3. HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.
Together, Consortium members raise more than $83 million annually for a variety of locally driven initiatives and are led by 1,200 board members, 80% of whom are local business and community leaders working in partnership with school district leaders. The Consortium manages the nation’s only 1:1 legislative match for education foundation initiatives and a variety of privately funded grant programs. To learn more about the Consortium or connect with any member local education foundation, visit https://educationfoundationsfl.org.
4. HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.
This partnership with education foundations in eight communities across Florida is vital to helping us reach more students with disabilities, said Allison Chase, President & CEO of The Able Trust. “Research shows that educational and career development programs have a positive impact, offering students opportunities to learn about postsecondary options and participate in career development activities that help to ensure they are on a path that leads to a fulfilling career.” – MORE – Futures in Focus Program for Students with Disabilities Page 2 Futures in Focus uses the principles and framework of the nationally recognized research- and evidenced-based Guideposts for Success. Through this pilot program, education foundations will work with local school districts to enroll students with disabilities and give them experiences that include:
- Introduction to secondary education pathway options such as Career and Technical Education, pre-apprenticeship, and other certification options (for Middle School students).
- Introduction to postsecondary education options: certificate programs, apprenticeship, technical school, state college and/or university (for High School students).
- Introduction to in-demand or growth occupations and industries.
- Connected to relevant resources that will assist with education and employment.
- Given opportunities for development of self-esteem and leadership skills
